Drowsy Driving Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas

Drowsy driving is a serious hazard on America’s roadways. According to the National Sleep Foundation, around half of U.S. drivers admit to driving while drowsy. Approximately 20 percent of drivers say they’ve nodded off behind wheel, and a staggering 40 percent report that it has happened at least once in their driving careers.

The consequences of driving while tired are well documented. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that an estimated 91,000 car accidents in a single year were caused by drowsy driving. Those collisions resulted in nearly 800 deaths and 40,000 injuries.

Were you hurt in a crash and suspect the other driver was fatigued? Get in touch with a drowsy driving car accident lawyer in Las Vegas at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys today to learn your legal rights.

Call or contact us now for a free consultation.

Is Driving While Tired Dangerous?

9Research has shown that six in ten of Americans are overtired. That pretty much means that there are always drivers on the road who probably shouldn’t be behind the wheel.

Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Individuals that have been awake for 18 consecutive hours will drive as though they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s just slightly below the legal limit of 0.08 percent. When a person has been awake for 24 consecutive hours, their driving skills are as impaired as someone with a BAC of 0.10 percent.

Like drunk drivers, fatigued drivers have difficulty focusing on the road, slower reaction times, and impaired judgment. Being tired simply does not give drivers the quick-thinking skills that are essential to safe driving.

While the impairments are similar, fatigued driving looks a little different than drunk driving. It is fairly easy for other motorists to spot drunk drivers on the roads. Drunk drivers may swerve erratically or slow down to a near crawl as they try to pay attention to the roads.

Drowsy drivers, on the other hand, may not realize that they are driving dangerously. They may speed or neglect to hit the brakes to avoid an oncoming collision.

Why is Drowsy Driving a Problem in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps, so it’s no surprise that drowsy driving is a problem. Many of the residents in the city work on the Strip, where certain businesses, such as casinos, nightclubs, and lounges are open 24 hours a day or close in the very early morning. Individuals may work the night shift and then drive home, sometimes when it is still dark, which is a contributing factor to drowsy driving.

Las Vegas also welcomes over 40 million tourists every year. Tourists also often stay up very late, and sometimes all night, to take advantage of the city’s countless attractions and amenities. These drivers may not think driving just a short distance from one place to another is dangerous, but it is. Tired tourists, just like tired workers, can easily cause a crash on the roads.

Drowsy Driving Accident Investigation Process

Just like any other personal injury case, car accident claims involving a drowsy driver rely on evidence. A skilled lawyer can launch an independent investigation to help you collect the information you need for a strong claim to compensation.

Establishing that someone was driving while tired is much more difficult than proving that another driver was drunk or otherwise negligent. There is no road test that shows that a driver was sleepy at the time of a crash. However, the situation is not hopeless. Other evidence can help establish the fact that the other driver was fatigued behind the wheel.

An attorney can subpoena valuable information that would be difficult for a private individual to access, such as the driver’s cell phone records, GPS data, and employment records — all of which could show that a driver was awake for long stretches of time.

Lawyers also have an extensive network of experts to assist with cases as needed. Medical specialists can testify to the severity of the victim’s injury(s) and how it will impact his or her life. Accident reconstruction professionals can visit the accident scene to look for physical evidence that suggests that a drowsy driving accident occurred, such as a lack of skid marks.

A car accident attorney in Las Vegas can also reach out to eyewitnesses, obtain video surveillance from nearby businesses, follow up with police reports, and submit the evidence to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. All of this can prove how that the other driver’s drowsiness, which is a form of negligence, caused the crash.

Tips to Avoid Driving While Fatigued in Las Vegas

Many motorists become tired while they are driving, and it may seem impossible to combat that fatigue. However, there are ways to avoid driving while fatigued in Las Vegas, including:

• Take a nap before heading out: If you know that you are tired, take a short nap before driving. Even a 20-minute power nap can help with alertness, but is not a substitute for a full night’s rest.
• Know the signs: Yawning or blinking frequently, being unable to remember the last few miles driven, and drifting between lanes or hitting rumble strips are signs of drowsy driving.
• Drive together: When venturing out on a long trip, it is always best to drive with another person that also has a driver’s license. If you become tired, you can ask the other driver to take over for a short time so you can get some sleep.
• Avoid drinking alcohol: Even a very small amount of alcohol will make you feel tired and contribute to drowsy driving. Drinking alcohol becomes even more dangerous when your body is already tired.
• Drive during the day: Darkness signals to your body that it is time to go to sleep. Try to drive during daylight hours when possible, especially between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

It is critical that all drivers on the roads in Las Vegas follow these tips. Not only can they help prevent a drowsy driving accident from occurring, but they can also help you avoid facing liability for a crash.

When to Contact a Lawyer After a Fatigued Driver Car Accident

People are sometimes unsure of whether they need a c after a collision. If you were in a very minor crash with no injuries, you probably don’t need legal help. However, there are times when it’s critical to contact a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.

Put simply, contact a lawyer if:

Generally, victims of fatigued driving crashes should contact a lawyer. That’s because these types of accidents usually involve serious injuries or fatalities. The more severe the injuries and losses, the more the insurance company will fight the claim and try to deny, delay, or reduce a claimant’s compensation. A lawyer can fight unfair insurance tactics and will hold the drowsy driver accountable for paying the full amount of damages you deserve.

An attorney is also an asset when determining who is liable for the crash. Under Nevada law, a person can receive compensation even if he or she is partly at fault for a wreck. However, the victim must not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident in order to collect. A lawyer can prevent insurers from trying to push fault onto you in an effort to make a lower (or no) payout.

In Las Vegas, you have only two years to file a car accident claim. However, it’s best to contact a lawyer well before that time period expires so that an investigation can begin while the evidence is fresh.

An Experienced Drowsy Driving Lawyer in Las Vegas Can Help You Today

If you have been hurt by a fatigued driver, let the Las Vegas drowsy driving accident lawyers at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys fight for the compensation and justice you are owed. We’ll stand by you through every stage of the claims process and negotiate for the best possible result in your case.

Questions? Call or contact us today to schedule your free consultation.